Chateau Cheval Blanc is a property in the Saint-Emilion region of Bordeaux, classified with the top ranking of Premier Grand Cru Classe A.The vineyard is located in the northwest of the region, bordering Pomerol – La Conseillante is a neighbor – and consists of 39 hectares (96 acres) divided into 45 plots. There is an unusually high amount of Cabernet Franc planted, about 49 percent, with 47 percent Merlot and 4 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. The unusual planting proportions reflect the terroir; most vineyards in the region are either clay or gravel-based over impermeable sedimentary rock, but Cheval Blanc is unique in having a patchwork of soils with the two types in roughly equal proportions. The clay soils provide base wines with velvety tannins, while those from gravel soils are more aromatic and elegant.